Kiki Porter is a choral conductor, music educator, and vocalist based in New York City. She holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Butler University, where she studied with Dr. Eric Stark and was selected as an Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Conducting Fellow. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Timothy LeFebvre. Kiki is currently pursuing an Ed.M. in Music Education with Initial Teacher Certification at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Kiki’s musical journey began as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus, where she performed in more than 250 performances across 16 operas over eight seasons, including multiple featured roles. This early experience introduced her to the collaborative world of professional opera and helped establish the foundation for her lifelong work as a performer, conductor, and educator.

Throughout her education, Kiki developed as a versatile vocalist, participating in All-State and All-Eastern choirs and attending Interlochen Arts Camp, where she later returned as a counselor. Her early vocal achievements include being named Music in the Parks Outstanding Vocalist, winning the Lindeblad School of Music Concerto Competition, and receiving second place in the NJ All-State Opera Festival. At Oberlin, Kiki performed as Peaseblossom in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the First Chambermaid in Menotti’s Amelia al Ballo. She also performed with the Oberlin College Choir, Musical Union, and Chamber Singers.

In 2020, Kiki traveled to Germany for an immersive language and vocal coaching experience at the Semperoper and performed Lieder at Nikolaikirche in Leipzig. As her focus expanded toward conducting, she participated in programs including the Atlanta Summer Conducting Institute and Cincinnati Choral Intensive, studying with conductors including Dr. Deanna Joseph, Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt, Dr. Joe Miller, and Dr. L. Brett Scott.

During her graduate studies at Butler University, Kiki made her professional choral conducting debut with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, conducting repertoire for its Mood Indigo and Festival of Carols performances. She made her orchestral conducting debut with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and her international conducting debut in May 2024, conducting the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir during its tour of Brazil. As a graduate assistant at Butler, she worked closely with the Butler Chorale and conducted the Butler University Choir and Wind Ensemble in major performances.

Kiki has continued her conducting development through national and international programs. She attended the Sarteano Choral Conducting Workshop in Italy, studying with Simon Carrington and Tony Thornton. In 2026, she participated in the C4 Choral Collective Conducting Workshop in New York City, where she rehearsed and conducted Sarah Quartel’s Sing My Child. She also participated in the Young People’s Chorus of New York City National Summer Intensive Conductor Studio, where she took part in conducting seminars and masterclasses with Francisco J. Núñez and was selected to conduct Chandrika Tandon’s Surangani in the program’s final performance at Brick Presbyterian Church.

Kiki’s work as an educator has included private voice and conducting instruction, teaching at the Butler Community Arts School, and directing and assisting choirs in school, community, and church settings. She previously served as Director of Worship Arts at Zionsville United Methodist Church, where she directed the Chancel Choir and Praise Band and led both contemporary and traditional worship music. She also served as Assistant Conductor of the Circle City Orchestra.

Since returning to New York, Kiki has continued to build a career connecting professional music-making with music education. She works as a Child Chaperone at the Metropolitan Opera, returning professionally to the institution where her own musical training began. During the 2026–27 season, she serves as Assistant Director of the Concert Choir at Every Voice Choirs, working with young singers in an ensemble centered on musical excellence, collaboration, and community.

As part of her graduate studies and teacher certification, Kiki will student teach with the choral program at Booker T. Washington Middle School and assist with music instruction for students in Pre-K through second grade at Teachers College Community School during the 2026–27 school year. These experiences continue to shape her work at the intersection of choral conducting, classroom teaching, and youth music education.

Kiki also remains active as a professional and ensemble vocalist and is a first soprano with The Cecilia Chorus of New York. Her recent performance experiences have included appearances at Carnegie Hall and collaborations with ensembles throughout New York City.

Across her work as a conductor, educator, and performer, Kiki is committed to creating musical environments that balance artistic excellence with curiosity, collaboration, and belonging. She is particularly passionate about working with young singers and helping students develop the confidence, musicianship, and sense of community that have shaped her own life in music.